Wicket loader

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for receiving and loading a stack of film articles uniformly and in superimposed relationship upon a wicket or other support with retaining means being provided for forming a stack of said film articles, the apparatus being arranged in combination with conveying means arranged to sequentially deliver articles fabricated from said material along a certain directional axis, and including handling and stacking means for the articles. The apparatus includes means to deliver the articles to a discharge station, the discharge station having means for retaining the articles in generally captive relationship, pickup means adjacent the discharge station and including traveling guide means for intermittently releasably retaining an edge surface portion of said thin plastic sheet material for transporting the retained article to a sheet article stacking means. The sheet article stacking means comprises a shoe adapted for reciprocatory up and down motion, the shoe being arranged to strike said sheet article, remove it from the pickup means, and stack it upon a receiver. The receiver is arranged to move the individual superimposed stacked articles intermittently from said receiving zone.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Robert W. Saumsiegle East Providence,RJ. [21 1 Appl. No. 630,703

[22] Filed Apr. 13, 1967 [45] Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee G. T.Schjeldahl Company Northfield, Minn.

a corporation ofMinnesota [54] WICKET LOADER 4 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 93/93, 83/95: 93/27; 198/178; 270/58 [51] Int. Cl B31b 1/98,B65g61/00; B65h 31/26 [50] Field ofSearch 93/93 (.3),

93 (HT), 27, 84, (88); 83/30, 95, 660; l56/2523; 270/12, 45', 336/58;198/178 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Adams, Cwayna andHaugen ABSTRACT: Apparatus for receiving and loading a stack of filmarticles uniformly and in superimposed relationship upon a wicket orother support with retaining means being provided for forming a stack ofsaid film articles, the apparatus being arranged in combination withconveying means arranged to sequentially deliver articles fabricatedfrom said material along a certain directional axis, and includinghandling and stacking means for the articles. The apparatus includesmeans to deliver the articles to a discharge station, the dischargestation having means for retaining the articles in generally captiverelationship, pickup means adjacent the discharge station and includingtraveling guide means for intermittently releasably retaining an edgesurface portion of said thin plastic sheet material for transporting theretained article to a sheet article stacking means. The sheet articlestacking means com prises a shoe adapted for reciprocatory up and downmotion, the shoe being arranged to strike said sheet article, remove itfrom the pickup means, and stack it upon a receiver. The receiver isarranged to move the individual superimposed stacked articlesintermittently from said receiving zone.

: g E lihu/ 11 I11" 12 l 0/44 illlllin... 26

WICKET LOADER An apparatus for receiving and loading a stack of filmarticles uniformly in superimposed relationship upon a wicket or othersupport with means being provided for forming a stack, and with eachmember of the stack being received in rapid sequential precisesuperposed relationship thereon.

The invention relates specifically to the stacking of film article, suchas peripherally formed articles, the stacking having reference to anaccumulated stack. The individual articles are finely registered orotherwise arranged on a suitable receiving means. In addition, means areprovided for receiving, collecting and ultimately permitting thedischarge therefrom of these uniformly registered stacks.

In the packaging of various products, it frequently becomes desirable toprovide means for conveniently arranging a number of receptacles, suchas open-top bags fabricated from plastic film or the like, for providingthis particular package. In order to satisfactorily and convenientlyhandle and work with these bags, it is frequently found desirable toarrange these bags in superimposed stacked relationship upon a suitablereceiving means. This receiving means may be a loading pin, a singleupstanding prong, twin or U-shaped carrier pins commonly called awicket," or if desired the individual bags may be deposited in acarefully controlled zone or area for other treatment prior to theirbeing moved as a unit.

Normally, the arrangement of these individual bags upon a loading stemor the like, such as a wicket, creates substantial problems in thestacking, this being due. to the tendency of thin film bags to fold uponthemselves, or otherwise become difficult to handle or stack rapidly.These problems are complicated when it is attempted to move or removethese film bags from a converting machine at a rapid rate, particularlyat a rate which is in accordance with that high rate of speed nowcapable in bag making eduipment.

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention relates to a loadingmechanism or bag-collecting mechanism which is particularly adapted forthe receiving, collecting and stacking of loads of individual finishedbags.

As indicated, this apparatus may be used in combination with a bagconvertingapparatus, and is well adapted for such use. In thisconnection, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,345 which describesthe details of one suitable converting apparatus for use in conjunctionwith the device of the present invention.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus. for handling and stacking sheet articles,particularly plastic sheet articles fabricated from thin flexibleplasticsheet which are received or collected so as to be dischargedultimately in uniformly registered stacks.

. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means forhandling, collecting, and uniformly stacking plastic sheet bags on awicket or similar collecting arrangement.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus for handling and stacking plastic sheet articles ingenerally uniformly superimposed stacked relationship, the apparatusbeing adapted to handle and stack said articles uniformly at high ratesof speed.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide animproved sheet article stacking means which includes a sheet articlestacking station, and is provided with a stacking shoe arranged insuperimposed relationship over the stacking station, the shoe beingadapted to intermittently move reciprocably so as to strike the plasticsheet article after its substantial formation and while the article isbeing held captive along one edge surface, and thereupon arrange theuniform stacking of the articles upon generally upstanding receivingpins.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification,appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a sheet article stacking apparatusprepared in accordance with the preferred modification of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a detail front elevational view of the sheet article receivingmechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3'is a top elevational view of the wicket pin transporting trackarrangement with the sheet articles shown removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view taken along the line and inthe direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail end view on a somewhat reduced scale of that portionof the apparatus shown in FIG. I and showing the stacking shoe orstomper in a downwardly extended disposition;

FIG. 6 is a detail elevational view of the transfer portion of theapparatus utilized to carry the plastic sheet articles from theconverting station to the stacking station in the apparatus shown inFIG. 1, this view showing the stacking station removed;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are detail sectional views taken along the line and in thedirection of the arrows 7-7 and 8-8 respectively of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view, partially exploded, and on aslightly enlarged scale, illustrating the details of the cam fingerarrangements utilized to control the disposition of the sheet articlesas they are placed upon the stacking arrangement;

FIG. 10 is a detail perspective view, also on a slightly enlarged scale,illustrating the details of the slide block assembly used to retain awicketer member therein, this view being partially broken away;

FIG. 10A is a fragmentary detail elevational view of a portion of ahollow pin used to receive sheet articles;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 5, and illustrating details of amodified means by which the inner edge portions of the bag stacks may beheld in proper vertical alignment, and showing the stacking shoe orstomper in a downwardly extended disposition;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are top and front elevational views respectively of thatportion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11 and showing the stacking shoeor stomper in an upwardly extended or normally up disposition;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a bag stacking device having asomewhat modified form of stack receiving mechanism associatedtherewith; and

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of a portion of that apparatus shownin FIGS. 1l4, with a somewhat modified form of coupling to theconverter.

In accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention,and with particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1-10 of thedrawings, the plastic sheet handling apparatus generally designated 10includes a frame apparatus 11 supporting a pickup means 12 for receivingand handling thin plastic sheet articles 13, these articles beingreceived or delivered into the pickup means from or by the draw or feedroll arrangement 14. It will be observed, particularly at FIGS. 2, 13and 15, that this arrangement is terminated by the presence of areciprocatory movable welding bar 15 extending generally across theentire extent of the draw roll area, the welding bar 15 operating inconjunction with a converting operation and including a sealing roll 16.The thin plastic film material 17 shown along the draw roll area in FIG.13 is carried by the rotating draw rolls l8 and 19.

With particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, andreferring in detail to the pickup means generally designated 12, thisportion of the apparatus which functions as a transfer means between thedraw rolls and the stacking zone includes a pair of endless belts 25 and26 which are carried along a predetermined path by means of the pulleys27, 28, 29 and 30. These pulleys define the path traversed by the belts25 and 26 and provide a nip area therebetween. A portion, such as anoutwardly extending lip portion of the individual plastic film articlesformed from the film material 17 is, therefore, held in captiverelationship in the nip formed between the belts 25 and 26, and it isfrequently desirable to hold the extent of travel of the lower belt suchas the belt 26 to a point more closely adjacent the discharge area ofthe draw roll mechanismv In order to control the clamp pressure in thebelts 25 and 26, and accordingly the force in the nip area therebetween,means are provided for applying a force which may be released from timeto time on one of the belts, such as the belt 25, this means being inthe form of a reciprocating shoe member 31 which is maintained in anormal force applying relationship to the belt 25 by means of theresilient spring member 32. Bell cranks 33 and 34 are utilized to rockthe pressure applying shoe 31 in an upwardly and downwardly directionabout their respective pivot points 330 and 34a respectively. Avertically adjustable stop member 35 is provided having a surface whichmeets the upper surface of one of the arms of the bell crank 34. It willbe appreciated, of course, that pivot means are provided at the shoebase clamps as at 36 and 37, in order to permit proper movement of theshoe 31. In order to establish periodic releasing of the downward forceof the shoe 31, a reciprocating cam 38 is provided which is coupled tothe stomper shoe member 40 and thus operating in time therewith. The cam38 has a cam surface 380 which functions against the cam follower 39,cam follower 39 being in turn coupled to the shoe 31 by means of asuitable linkage, not shown, coupled to pivot 36, for example. Thus, atthe time the shoe member 40 moves reciprocatorily downwardly, for areason more fully disclosed hereinafter, the immediate disposition ofthe cam 38 will determine the amount of clamping pressure availablebetween the belt 25 and the belt 26, this clamping pressure being theforce available for holding portions of the plastic sheet articles inthe nip of the belts.

With attention being directed to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be seen that thebelt tensioning apparatus includes a pair of selectively movable pulleys25a and 26a for use in conjunction with their respective belts. Asindicated in FIG. 7, the belt 25 may be provided with a serrated surfacein order to better grasp the sheet articles.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, wherein the article stacking means isdescribed in some detail, it will be observed that this feature of theapparatus includes a shoe or stomper member 40 arranged forreciprocatory up-and-down motion, and further includes a wicket transferarrangement shown generally at 41 in FIGS. 3 and 4. The wicket transferarrangement 41 operates in synchronism and in conjunction with thereciprocating shoe assembly 40, and after a sufficient number of plasticarticles or bags have been received on an individual wicket assembly inthe arrangement 41, as determined by a suitable counting apparatus, nowshown, the individual wicket elements will move from a loading positionto a position in or directed toward an unloading position. During theperiod of time of travel of the mechanism 41, the remaining driveportions of the assembly 47 should reasonably be held temporarily idle.

With the individual bags or plastic sheet articles moving from theconveyor 14 and into the pickup means 12 by means of the belts 25 and26, the stacking arrangement will remove the bags from the pickup meansand deposit them in a suitable uniform superimposed relationship upon,the bag receiving means such as the upstanding wicket pins such as areshown at 44 in FIG. 4. With the pickup means at idle, the wicket pins 44are transferred by means of conveyance apparatus to be more fullydescribed hereinafter, from the loading position as indicated in theupper lefthand portion of FIG. 3 to a discharge position in the lowerright-hand position in the same FIG. If desired, a multitude of pickuppin assemblies may be utilized, as illustrated.

Referring now in detail to the stacking means, such as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, this means includes a reciprocatorily moving shoe carrying membergenerally designated 40 including a frame element 46 and a sheet articlestriking shoe or stomper member 47. The sheet article striking shoe 47may be provided with serrations along at least the rear face thereof,particularly as shown in FIG. 2. These serrations assist in posi tivegrasp of the article surface and appropriate removal of the bags frombetween the belts 25 and 26 as they come into contact with the shoe andare driven downwardly into stacked arrangement on the individual wicketpins. lfdesired, additional serrations may be provided, such as on thelateral surfaces of the shoe, however it has been generally foundsatisfactory to provide these serrations at the rear face thereof only.The shoe 47 may be provided with additional cross members, if desired.As indicated previously, the reciprocating shoe together with its framemechanism 46 operates in synchronism with the conveyor mechanism 14, andis arranged to strike the sheet articles as they lie substantially atdwell in the system, and while the cam 38 releases the clamp pressureestablished in the nip formed between the belts 25 and 26. Also, it ispossible that the bags can be prepunched in order that they will be morereadily received on the individual upstanding pins 44, this being inaccordance with the normal operation of such a system. If desired, theindividual sheet articles, such as bags, can be driven onto theupstanding pegs in such a manner that they will be perforated uponcontact therewith.

Particular attention is now directed to FIG. 15 of the drawings whereinthe driving mechanism for the article stacking means as well as for thepickup means is illustrated in detail. While the pickup means may bedriven off the same source of power which is utilized in the draw rolland convert ing apparatus, it may also be equipped with its own sourceof driving energy. The drive mechanism utilizes principally, an endlesslink chain 50 which is operatively coupled with a suitable sprocket 51,sprocket 51 being arranged for axial rotation with the journaled shaft52. The endless chain 50 likewise engages sprocket member 54 which issuitably journaled for rotation, particularly on the shaft 55. On theopposite surface of the shafts 52 and 55 respectively are coupled thedriven pulleys 30 and 28 respectively. Gear 56 is likewise journaled forrotation about shaft 57, shaft 57 extending through the frame means 11and being cooperatively coupled with the pulley 28. In addition, thetakeup sprocket 60 is journalcd for rotation upon the shaft 61. Inaddition, a main drive mechanism utilizing a separate motor, not shown,is coupled between the mechanism driving the welding bar 15 and thesupport sleeves 62-62 which are utilized to provide the reciprocatoryup-and-down motion of the article stacking means generally designated40. Therefore, the motion of the welding bar is synchronized with themotion of the article stacking means by a suitable mechanical andelectrical coupling linkage, such as, for example, a linkage obtainedfrom coupling a crank arm radially outwardly on a rotating wheel, suchas may be accomplished in connection with the drive for the welding bar15. Similarly, the energy for driving the sprocket member 51 andaccordingly the endless chain 50 is derived from the same source ofpower which drives the draw roll section 14 of the bag making machinesuch as, for example, from the draw rolls 18 and 19.

In order to synchronize the operation of the entire apparatus and permitcycling of the wicket loading apparatus 41, suitable counting means willbe interposed between the mechanism driving the conveyor means, thepickup means, and the article stacking means in order that the conveyormeans 14 may be held idle while the individual loads of sheet articlessuch as bags are transferred from a loading position to an idle stationor ultimately to an unloading position. With particular attention beingdirected to FIGS. 3, 4 and 10 of the drawings, the wicket assembly 41includes a suitable framing apparatus which supports the pair ofhorizontal sprocket wheels 71 and 72 upon the individual vertical shaftsor axes 73 and 74 respectively, the chain member 75 being interposed indriven relationship therebetween. At suitable evenly spaced positionsalong the endless chain 75, a plurality of wicket permitted within theconfines of the slot 8lformed within the carrier 76. Thus, as thecarrier 76 approaches the loading position, its forward and face 83strikes the innersurface 84 bf the frame 70. arid causes compression ofthe springm'e'mber 80 forwardly of the sprocket 78 and header 79. It isdesirable that a certain amount of compression be present in spring 80while the boat 76 is in the loading position, thus contributing tostability of positioning in the loading disposition. Thus, continuousmotion in one plane, in a rectangular orbit or configuration, ispossible with the wicket pin carrier mechanism 76 not being required toundergo any unusual change in direction in accordance with the motion ofthe continuous chain 75. The disposition in the loading is, of course,followed in the unloading position with maximum tension in the spring 80existing at the top-dead-center positions of the chain 75 disposed inbetween the extended lateral runs or spans thereof.

Particular attention is now directed to FIGS. 1 and 9 of the drawingswherein the structure and the particular action of the vertically movingcombing fingers is disclosed. In FIG. 9, a

cam track or guide 90 is shown with cam following pins 91 ar- 0 rangedtherein. A second cam following pin is shown at 92, pin 92 following thetrack 93 formed in bracket 95 which is in turn coupled to the framemember 46, and adapted for reciprocatory up-and-down motion with thestomper orshoe 40. Accordingly, as ,the downward motion of the stomperand frame 46 commences, the relative disposition of the pins 91 and 92will cause a forward rocking of the individual fingers 94, these fingersthen coming horizontally into contact with the top surface of the backor rear edges of bags forming the bag stack 13. This contact ismaintained while the fingers 94 40 move me downward direction, and in sodoing, tend to compress the edges of the bags and in compressed relationto each other and maintain them in proper oriented and flat disposition.The return motion, while following the same path has not been found tointerfere with the proper stacking of the bag stack 13, particularlyalong the free edge surfaces adjacent the wicket pins 44. A resilientspring member 96 is shown which couples the shaft member. 97 to theframe member 95, the ends of shaft 97 terminating-in the pin 92. As pin92 is bottomed in the track 93, downward motion of the frame 95 willcause corresponding downward motion of the frame 95 which will causecorresponding downward motion of the fingers 94 which are, as indicated,secured to the framing bracket 98. As the bracket 95 moves downwardly,corresponding downward travel is achieved with the framing bracket 98and fingers 94. As the individual stacks of articles build up, anyunusual height is compensated for in the spring member 96 which permitsresilient elevation extension of the fingers 94.

With attention being continued to FIG. 1, a fan is shown at 100, the fandischarge being directed onto portions of the sheet articles or bags asthey move from the draw roll area 14 through the pickup means, andultimately to the article stacking means. It is the purpose of this fanto maintain proper floating orientation and disposition of the outerextremity of these individual bags as they move down the path definedand arranged by the apparatus. The purpose of the fan 100 is to blow acolumn of air adjacent the corner portion of the bag as at its outeredge, and maintain that comer of the bag in a generally nondroopingconfiguration or disposition. The

blower assistsin preventing upward curling of the bag edges. If desired,means may be provided for introducing charged particles, such aspositively charged particles, in

order to dissipate any static charge which might be generated 75 in thefilm during its operation.

l'ln order to facilitate the proper disposition of the film mem bers asthey leave the nip area between the welding bar 15 and the sealing roll16, the sealing roll 16 is run at a somewhat greater peripheral velocitythan the main draw rolls 18 and 19.

With attention being directed to FIG. 15 of the drawings, it will beobserved that the belt 26 is extended so as to engage the outerperiphery of a portion of the sealing roll 16. In this arrangement, anindividual journal is established for a carrier pulley for the belt 26on sealing roll 16 in order to aecom modate and permit relative motion,as required by the specific timing, between the main portion of thesealing roll 16 and that axial portion receiving the belt 26. Thus, asmall portion of the seal length is made or formed on the surface of thebelt 5 of the individual bag member on the surface of the belt for itsmovement into the discharge zone. It will be appreciated that thisarrangement provides for a maximum degree of flexibility of utilizationof this stacking assembly. Since the drive is normally taken from thedraw roll source, adaptation or utilization of this system is stillreadily possible in converting apparatus utilizing the draw roll whichmay be split into individual operating segments or portions.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. ll-15 of the drawings wherein asomewhat modified form of carrier is provided for the wicket portion osthe apparatus. In FIG. 11 the wickets are carried by the carryingmembers generally designated 110, these carriers being supported on anendless belt or chain 111. This chain 111 has upper and lower spans andin order to accommodate the pins in the lower span, a toothed pinion112, as shown in FIG. 13, is utilized to pivotally rotate a wicket carrier bracket 114 from a horizontal position to a vertical uprightposition, the horizontal position being achieved during travel of themember while in the lower span. The pinion 112 may be rotated by meansof a suitable mating rack disposed at either end of the main upper andlower spans of the endless chain 111. With continued attention beingdirected to FIGS. 12 and 13, it will be observed that an alternatetechnique is provided for maintaining the inner lips of the bags inproper disposition, this arrangement being shown generally at 116. Thisdevice includes a cylinder 117 which is journaled for rotation in theframe as at 118, and driven by the endless chain 119 engaging a sprocketcoupled to the support shaft 120 for the cylinder 117. Ifdesired,'cylinder 117 may be provided with a textured or roughenedsurface to assist in the arranging of the bag lips.

A typical operation, by way of example, for each of the apparatusesdisclosed herein will now be given. For a typical two-layer film weld,each film being I mil polyethylene, a bar temperature of between 700 F.and 800 with a weld dwell time of between about 0.04 and 0.05 secondshas been found desirable. This action is that which occurs in a bagmaking machine running at cycles per minute, with the sealing occurringduring a 40 stroke, for example, of the main cycling wheel. Thus, adwell time of appropriate length with contact being maintained in thesealing mechanism prior to the time the shoe 47 strikes the bag beingheld therebeneath is achieved.

If an apparatus for conversion of film is provided with more than onetreating station, such as is common in the converting apparatusdescribed in US. Pat. No. 2,947,345, it may be desirable to operate morethan one loading device at the end thereof. The pickup device will thenoperate off of the appropriate portion of the draw roll for propersynchronization.

If desired, various sensors may be provided to detect the presence of aloading pin or wicket, as well as for the presence of a loaded wicket.These sensors may be disposed along and adjacent to the conveyor beltwhich carries the individual slide blocks or boats, and their actuationmay be utilized to set the various operating portions of the apparatusat idle.

In order to provide for versatility in stack height, it frequently maybe desirable to provide a means for raising or lowering the elevation ofthe conveyor mechanism 41 relative to the other portions of the device.Thus, by controlling the height of that conveyor, various stack heightsare possible.

As another technique for accomplishing the use of wicket pins of variousshaft lengths, the bag receiving means may comprise or include a pair ofhollow axially slotted pins which are arranged in generally upstandingrelationship to the conveyor as shown in FIG. lA, the hollowed portionbeing adapted to receive or otherwise retain a wicket pin arrangement.Thus, the upper extremity of the bag receiving means will always lie ata constant distance beneath the pickup means and will enable moreconsistent results to be achieved without requiring additionaladjustment steps when varying size wicket pin or receiving arrangementsare being considered. In this device, it will be appreciated that meansare provided for achieving easy entry and withdrawal of the wicket pinarrangement from the generally upstanding hollow axially slotted wicketreceiving pins.

While the stomper mechanism is normally provided with a fixedreciprocatory path length, it may, in certain instances, be desirable toarrange for extending or decreasing the length of this path in order toaccommodate certain specific types of flexible sheet articles. Such anadjustment would provide for added versatility in the overall device.

lt will be appreciated that the specific examples provided herein arefor purposes of illustration only, and that those skilled in the art maydepart from these specific examples without necessarily departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

lclaim:

1. In combination with conveying means arranged to sequentially deliverarticles fabricated from thin flexible plastic sheet material along acertain generally horizontal directional axis of travel, the finishedarticles having a welded zone disposed along and adjacent one lateralside surface thereof; handling and stacking means for said thin plasticsheet articles comprising:

a. means arranged to deliver said articles to a welding station having awelding bar adapted to rest at dwell on the surface of said plasticsheet article to weld the article and retain the article in generallycaptive relationship, pickup means immediately adjacent said weldingstation and including a pair of superimposed continuous belts havingreciprocatory pressure applying means having a belt contacting surfacewith bias means arranged to urge said belt contacting surface towardsaid belt for forcing said belts together to form a nip zonetherebetween, said bias means being further arranged to intermittentlymove said belt contacting surface away from said belt, the arrangementproviding for intermittent releaseable retention of at least one edgesurface of said thin plastic sheet material forming said article and forthe continued transporting of said retained article generally along saiddirectional axis of travel from said welding station to a stackingstation disposed along a generally predetermined path, the path beingarranged along and defining a plane of travel;

b. sheet article stacking means comprising a shoe adapted forreciprocatory up-and-down motion and being arranged in a normal updisposition in superimposed relationship over said plane of travel, andincluding driving means for moving said shoe downwardly in saidreciprocatory motion through said plane of travel, release meansfunctioning in time with said shoe driving means for actuating said biasmeans to move said belt contacting surface away from said belt forintermittently relievin the pressure applied by said pressure applyingmeans an for accommodating a separation of said continuous belts forreleasing said retained article from the nip of said con tinuous beltsin time with the downward travel of said shoe, with the pressurerelieving occurring upon downward motion of said shoe, sheet articlereceiving means comprising a sheet article receiving zone disposedgenerally beneath the normal up disposition of said shoe and said planeof travel, said shoe having a sheet article contacting surface and beingadapted to remove said sheet article from said pickup means; and

0. means actuated intermittently for moving a plurality of superimposedstacked sheet articles away from said receiving zone.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterizedin that said shoe includes means for continuously compressing the planeof said sheet articles received in loaded disposition along saidstacking station.

3. In combination with conveying means arranged to sequentially deliverarticles fabricated from thin plastic sheet material, the articleshaving a treated zone disposed adjacent each of the lateral sidesurfaces thereof", handling and stacking means for said thin plasticsheet articles comprising:

a. draw roll means arranged to deliver said articles to a dischargestation and having means for retaining said plastic sheet article ingenerally captive relationship, pickup means adjacent said dischargestation comprising a pair of superimposed endless belts havingreciprocating pressure applying means having a belt contacting surfacewith bias means arranged to urge said belt contacting surface towardsaid belt for forcing said belts together to form a bite zonetherebetween, .said bias means being further arranged to intermittentlymove said belt contacting surface away from said belt, the arrangementproviding and defining traveling guide means for the intermittentrelease ofa portion of said thin plastic sheet material retained in saidbite zone, said traveling guide means thereby transporting said articlefrom said discharge station to a stacking station disposed along agenerally predetermined path defining a plane of travel;

b. sheet article stacking means comprising a sheet article striking shoeadapted for reciprocatory up-and-down motion and being arranged in anormal up disposition in superimposed relationship over said plane oftravel, and including driving means for moving said shoe downwardly insaid reciprocatory motion through the plane of travel, release meansfunctioning in time with said shoe driving means for actuating said biasmeans to move said belt contacting surface away from said belt forintermittently relieving the pressure applied by said pressure applyingmeans and for accommodating a separation of said continuous belts forreleasing said retained portion of plastic sheet material from saidpickup means, the pressure relieving occurring upon downward motion ofsaid shoe in time with the downward travel of said shoe, sheet articlereceiving means comprising at least one generally upstanding sheetarticle receiving pin disposed in a normal loading position generallybeneath the normal up disposition of said shoe and said plane of travel,said shoe having a sheet article contacting surface and being adapted totransfer said sheet article generally vertically from said pickup meansto said article receiving pin; and

c. means actuated intermittently for moving a plurality of superimposedstacked sheet articles while on said receiving means to a point remotefrom said receiving zone.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said sheet article receiving means comprises apair of generally upstanding sheet article receiving pins.

1. In combination with conveying means arranged to sequentially deliverarticles fabricated from thin flexible plastic sheet material along acertain generally horizontal directional axis of travel, the finishedarticles having a welded zone disposed along and adjacent one lateralside surface thereof; handling and stacking means for said thin plasticsheet articles comprising: a. means arranged to deliver said articles toa welding station having a welding bar adapted to rest at dwell on thesurface of said plastic sheet article to weld the article and retain thearticle in generally captive relationship, pickup means immediatelyadjacent said welding station and including a pair of superimposedcontinuous belts having reciprocatory pressure applying means having abelt contacting surface with bias means arranged to urge said beltcontacting surface toward said belt for forcing said belts together toform a nip zone therebetween, said bias means being further arranged tointermittently move said belt contacting surface away from said belt,the arrangement providing for intermittent releaseable retention of atleast one edge surface of said thin plastic sheet material forming saidarticle and for the continued transporting of said retained articlegenerally along said directional axis of travel from said weldingstation to a stacking station disposed along a generally predeterminedpath, the path being arranged along and defining a plane of travel; b.sheet article stacking means comprising a shoe adapted for reciprocatoryup-and-down motion and being arranged in a normal up disposition insuperimposed relationship over said plane of travel, and includingdriving means for moving said shoe downwardly in said reciprocatorymotion through said plane of travel, release means functioning in timewith said shoe driving means for actuating said bias means to move saidbelt contacting surface away from said belt for intermittently relievingthe pressure applied by said pressure applying means and foraccommodating a separation of said continuous belts for releasing saidretained article from the nip of said continuous belts in time with thedownward travel of said shoe, with the pressure relieving occurring upondoWnward motion of said shoe, sheet article receiving means comprising asheet article receiving zone disposed generally beneath the normal updisposition of said shoe and said plane of travel, said shoe having asheet article contacting surface and being adapted to remove said sheetarticle from said pickup means; and c. means actuated intermittently formoving a plurality of superimposed stacked sheet articles away from saidreceiving zone.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 beingparticularly characterized in that said shoe includes means forcontinuously compressing the plane of said sheet articles received inloaded disposition along said stacking station.
 3. In combination withconveying means arranged to sequentially deliver articles fabricatedfrom thin plastic sheet material, the articles having a treated zonedisposed adjacent each of the lateral side surfaces thereof; handlingand stacking means for said thin plastic sheet articles comprising: a.draw roll means arranged to deliver said articles to a discharge stationand having means for retaining said plastic sheet article in generallycaptive relationship, pickup means adjacent said discharge stationcomprising a pair of superimposed endless belts having reciprocatingpressure applying means having a belt contacting surface with bias meansarranged to urge said belt contacting surface toward said belt forforcing said belts together to form a bite zone therebetween, said biasmeans being further arranged to intermittently move said belt contactingsurface away from said belt, the arrangement providing and definingtraveling guide means for the intermittent release of a portion of saidthin plastic sheet material retained in said bite zone, said travelingguide means thereby transporting said article from said dischargestation to a stacking station disposed along a generally predeterminedpath defining a plane of travel; b. sheet article stacking meanscomprising a sheet article striking shoe adapted for reciprocatoryup-and-down motion and being arranged in a normal up disposition insuperimposed relationship over said plane of travel, and includingdriving means for moving said shoe downwardly in said reciprocatorymotion through the plane of travel, release means functioning in timewith said shoe driving means for actuating said bias means to move saidbelt contacting surface away from said belt for intermittently relievingthe pressure applied by said pressure applying means and foraccommodating a separation of said continuous belts for releasing saidretained portion of plastic sheet material from said pickup means, thepressure relieving occurring upon downward motion of said shoe in timewith the downward travel of said shoe, sheet article receiving meanscomprising at least one generally upstanding sheet article receiving pindisposed in a normal loading position generally beneath the normal updisposition of said shoe and said plane of travel, said shoe having asheet article contacting surface and being adapted to transfer saidsheet article generally vertically from said pickup means to saidarticle receiving pin; and c. means actuated intermittently for moving aplurality of superimposed stacked sheet articles while on said receivingmeans to a point remote from said receiving zone.
 4. The combination asdefined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said sheetarticle receiving means comprises a pair of generally upstanding sheetarticle receiving pins.